• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon J5 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $1099
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 49 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 30.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 30.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Nikon J5

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    4 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 III

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

  • Improved image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance for a modern MFT sensor; Very fast AF; Excellent image stabilization; 4K video recording; Weather-sealed build quality.

  • Below average battery life; Small size can be awkward with long, heavy lenses; One SD card slot.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J5
Nikon J3
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon J3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
Olympus E-M5 III
Samsung NX Mini
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon J4
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic G100

Nikon J5
Panasonic G100
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $597
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic G100
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $597
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Nikon J5
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life
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